12 Companies hiring in bulk for the holidays

PHOENIX -- More spending is expected to equal more jobs this shopping season. In fact, the National Retail Federation estimates holiday sales to increase to more than $586 billion, a 4.1% increase from 2011.

Theresa Maher with Scottsdale-based Jobing.com says now is the time for people looking for employment to start submitting their resumes.

“Some great news is that holiday hires are going to be right on point of last year or likely higher, which is great. So a lot of people are going to be going back to work this season,” she said.

A recent survey shows 35% of retailers are increasing their number of seasonal jobs this year.

Macy’s says it will hire 78,000 people, up 2.6% from 2011.

Walmart is adding 50,000 jobs, slightly more than last year.

Kohls is increasing its staff by 10%, creating 52,700 positions for the holidays.

According to a survey by the Hay Group, 57% of retailers say their hiring numbers will remain the same as 2011, including Sears and Toys-R-Us.

Target will hire less. The company says it will bring on between 80,000 to 90,000 people, down from 92,000 last year.

GameStop will hire 17,000. That’s 2,000 less than 2011.

But Best Buy is cutting its holiday staff in half, hiring just 15,000 this year. It hired 29,000 in 2011.

With more mobile and social options, consumers are expected to do more holiday shopping online this year, giving job seekers a chance to take advantage of an ever expanding e-commerce industry.

“Online holiday shopping is going to be up, probably about 12% this year, so companies like Amazon are looking to beef up. SkyMall, as well, which is right here in the Valley,” Maher said.

Retailers like Kohls and The Limited are hiring 5,000 and 2,000 people, respectively, to help with distribution centers. UPS may hire up to 55,000 this year.

All-in-all, Maher says retailers nationwide will give jobs to at least 600,000 people this holiday season. It could mean more money and for many, a new career path.

“This is a great way for companies to be able to put a lot of people back to work temporarily, and also screen them to see what these people are made of and if they're really a good fit for their company, and if they're going to find a position for them. They're going to let these people come back to work full-time,” Maher says.

She also suggests applicants visit the store they’re trying to work at and ask for a manager or the person doing the hiring. That way, Maher says, they can put a face to your name which increases your chances of getting the job.